Base for signs



Sept. 1, 1931.

E. B. ROGERS 1,821,580

BASE FOR SIGNS Filed March 18, 1931 vii 3.

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE EARL B. ROGERS, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T MIn-w srroItCme COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A oonroaarIoiv or ILLINOIS BASE roa- SIGNS,

Application filed. March 18,

This invention relates to improvements in base for a sign, and method of making the same and, more especially, such a device adapted for supporting an upright or standard carrying a sign. My invention is applicable, for example, for use in connection with a sidewalk stand and provides a very firm and stable base serving to hold the upright in position.

Among the features of my invention is the provision of a base that can be easily and cheaply made, that is, neat in appearance and strong and durable. My improved base gives a maximum amount of rigidity. and stability and, at the same time, may be light enough so that it is readily portable. These features make it particularly well adapted for use in connection with a sidewalk sign that should be easily portable and, at the same time, 0 heavy, strong and stable enough to withstand severe winds, and the like.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings Figure 1 isa view in front elevation showing the base used in connection with a sign; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the base and Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing'apparatus employed in connection with the making of the base.

As shown in the drawings, the base is indicated, in general in Fig. 1, by A, said base being adapted to support the standard or upright 13 carrying at its upper end the circular sign C. This invention relates particularly to the construction of the base A.

As shown in Fi 2, the base includes an upper substantially flat circular sheet metal plate 10 with a depending rim 11. Numeral 12 indicates a lower substantially flat circular sheet metal plate spaced from the upper plate with its outer edge, as indicated by 12 bent upwardly and attached, as by weld-. ing, to the lower edge of the rim 11. Since the plates 10 and 12 are formed out of sheet metal, the construction is relatively inexpenslve.

1931. Serial No. 523,624.

It will-be seen that the two plates being spaced. from each other form a relatively thin widemcircularv casing. This casing is provided with a central opening in the. top in. which 's mounted a socket member 13 5 adapted to carry thestandard B. As here shown, this socket member is in the form of a floor plate or flanged coupling, the flange being indicated by 13*. The socket may be supported in any suitable manner. For example, f as shown,the flange13 may lie under the plate 10 and be fastenedthereto by welding. The plates 10 and 12 alone are ordinarily not heavy enough to give the base suflicient stability. Accordingly, I fill the same with ballast material. It is very desirable, however, to have the base relatively thin and wide, Such a form of base has a more pleasing appearance than a thick base and is also less obstructive. vWhen a base is made thin, :20 however, as I have shown it, difliculty is encountered in filling the same with ballast material unlessvmy' invention is resorted to for this purpose. My invention contemplates the filling of the casing with ballast material 7 by providing the central opening in the top and rotating the same while feeding said ballast material into the same through said opening. The rotation of the base causes the ballast material to completely fill the same through centrifugal force. That is, the centrifugal force caused by the rotation throws the ballast material to the extreme outer portions of the casing as it is rotated, thus ensuring that the ballast material is well packed 8 in the casing to completely fill the same. For example, as here shown, the base A may be placed on a rotating table 14 and held thereon by means of the clamp members 15. Numeral 16 may indicate a spout adapted to feed {f 9 ballast material through the central opening in the upper plate 10. As here shown. the socket member 13 has an opening extending entirely through it so that it may be put in place first, and the ballast material then fed through said socket member. I prefer to use some kind of plastic material that will flow sufficiently so that the centrifugal action referred to will cause it to completely fill the casing. For example, concrete or cement may 31 i be employed. As here shown, 17 indicates a filling of concrete. This is fed while soft from the nozzle 16 through the central opening in the upper plate while the casing is rotated. until it completely fills the casing. Later, this cement will harden inside of the casing, thus serving also to strengthen the embodiments of my invention, it is to be base to prevent the plates 10 or 12 from becoming dented or bent.

As shown, I prefertomake the base relatively thicker at the periphery. This increases the stability of the base and strengthens the edge which is most exposed to damage. I

While I have shown and descrlbed certain understood that it is capable of many'modifications. Changes, therefore, 1n the construction and arrangement may be made without'departing from the spirit and scopeof my invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in whichit is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention. as broadly as permissible, in View of the prior art.

. What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 2 -1. A base for a sign, including; an upper substantially flat sheet metal plate with a depending rim; a lower substantially fiat sheet metal plate spaced therefrom,-the edge of said lower plate being joined to the rim of said upper plate; a socket member carried bythe upper plate; and ballast material in the space between the plates.

2. .A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the. plates are circular. I

. 3. A base as clalmed n claim 1, lILWVllICll the plates are spaced farther apart at the periphery than at-the center. i

, .In witness whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand and seal, this letday ofMarch, 19.31;.

EARL B; .RoeERs} 

